The water and its monuments in Provence

One of the distinctive elements of Provence is the abundance of water in the area. We can say that it is at the top of the rankings of the factors that make up the heritage of the region and characterize it. We want to investigate the process of transformation of the territory, which has been perpetuated over time, through the reading of surviving artefacts, related to the catchment of water sources. The use of sources, even in the days of the ancient Romans, has resulted in the construction of aqueducts to supply thermal baths, fountains and catchment basins. Afterwards in the Middle Ages we note the increasing distribution of cisterns and wells to supply. It is with the Renaissance that takes place the need to use water as a source of energy for each sort of mills; later, in the nineteenth century, are constructed navigable canals and for irrigation. The image and the history of Provence, in times of change and development, is strongly marked by the use of the water, with the use of technology, has transformed the environment through time. Among the realizations of the past, originated from the need and characterized by clever technology works, are found architectural splendours, too often unknown that, far from the tourist trail, speak of harmonic integration of the built into the landscape.